CBRE appoints head of sustainability, EMEA

CBRE, the global property advisor, has appointed Rebecca Pearce as Head of Sustainability, EMEA.

In this newly created role, Rebecca will work across CBRE’s extensive cross-border business, driving sustainable property and portfolio management initiatives on behalf of clients and responding to changing legislation and market trends. She will also oversee the company’s regional corporate responsibility policy and commitments to environmental sustainability.

Rebecca brings extensive experience to the role, including three years in CBRE’s Pacific business where she established and headed up client sustainability services, and drove many of the company’s corporate commitments, including establishing CBRE as the first carbon neutral property company by meeting the strict legislative requirements around carbon neutrality in Australia. Prior to CBRE, Rebecca spent two years in the Middle East at the Sustainability Advisory Group.

Martin Samworth, Managing Director, EMEA, CBRE commented: “CBRE isengaged in a wide range of sustainability services across a property portfolio of more than 60 million sq m.  Rebecca has already contributed to a significant number of these initiatives and I’m delighted that she has decided to join our EMEA business.

Rebecca Pearce, Head of Sustainability, EMEA, CBRE added:  “With 40% of the world’s green house gas emissions attributable to the construction and operation of buildings, sustainability is one of the most important issues for our sector today and an area in which our clients are demanding more integrated global expertise. Having worked for CBRE for the last three years, I know that it’s a company that shares my own commitment to sustainable business practices. I look forward to joining the EMEA team to build on the work that has already been delivered across a wide range of markets – from building certification and energy reduction, to sustainable property management and green building consultancy.”

Within its own organisation, CBRE offers a wide range of sustainability initiatives including resource management, occupancy, communications and training and procurement. Last month, the company announced successful finalists – including several European academic institutions – for its Real Green Research Challenge; a unique $1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial property.